Locking device for internal-combustion engines.



B. E. KOOLS 81 H. A. STEVENS.

LOCKING DEVICE FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES. APPLICATION TILED JAN. 16.1917.

1,294,480. Patented Feb.18,1919.

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BENJAMIN E. KOOLS AND HENRY A. STEVENS, OF KALAIEAZOO, MICHIGAN.

LOCKING DEVICE FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 18, 1919.

Application filed January 16, 1917. Serial No. 142,635.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, BENJAMIN E. KooLs and HENRY A. STEVENS, citizens of the United States, residing at Kalamazoo, county of Kalamazoo, State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Looking Devices for Internal- Combustion Engines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in looking devices for internal combustion engines.

Our improved locking device is especially designed by us to prevent the theft of automobiles, although it is adapted to prevent the unauthorized starting of any internal combustion engine. Y

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide an improved locking device of this character which is adapted to effectively prevent the starting of an internal combustion engine, but at the same time one which does not in any Way interfere with its normal operation when adjusted to that end.

Second, to provide an improved device of the class described which is comparatively simple in structure and readily applied to or embodied in an engine.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

We accomplish the objects of our invention by the devices and means described in the following specification. The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of our invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure I is a detail front elevation of th manifold of an internal combustion engine with our improvements applied thereto.

Fig. II is a detail vertical section on a line corresponding to line 2-2 of Figs. I and III, parts of the lock being in full lines.

Fig. III is a detail section on a line corresponding to line 33 of Fig. II.

Fig. IV is an enlarged detail section on a line corresponding to line 4.-4 of Fig. II.

In the drawing similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Referringto the drawing, the manifold l, illustrated, is that of a Ford motor car. The manifold is provided with an air inlet, preferably in the form of a plurality of ports 2 arranged in a group, as shown in Fig. f-III. An annular groove-like valve seat 3 is formed in the side of the manifold surrounding the ports.

The closure valve 1 is provided with a stem 5 threaded into the manifold centrally of the ports :2. The outer end 6 of this stem is provided with a longitudinal slot 7 to receive the tang 8 carried by a key actuated member, as will be later described. The valve 4 is provided with an annular rib 9 which seats in the seat 3 when the valv is closed.

IVe provide a housing 10 having a closure valve chamber 11 therein and a chamber 12 for the lock proper. These chambers are separated by a partition 13 having a hole 14 therein for alinement with the stem of the valve. The ports are arranged adjacent the forking or branching of the manifold and in the front side thereof. The housing is provided with an air conduit extension 15 which extends over the top of the manifold so that it is impossible to manipulate the valve through this inlet port. The housing is shown as secured by screws having their heads flattened down to prevent their removal. It may be welded or otherwise retained.

The lock, designated generally by the numeral 16, is arranged in the cylindrical extension 17 of the housing and retained therein by the screw 18 disposed through the partition 13. The lock illustrated is of the Yale type and, as its details form no part of this invention, they are not illustrated herein. The lock is provided with a key actuated rotatable member l9"to which the tang 8 is secured by means of the plate 20 which has a tongue 21 extending through the slot 22 in the tang.

With this connection, when the rotatable member 19 is turned, the valve is opened and closed. When the valve is opened such a quantity of air is admitted to the manifold that the engine cannot be started owing to suction in the carbureter being destroyed. When the valve is closed the carbureter works in its normal manner.

We have illustrated and described our improvements in detail in the form in which we have embodied the same for use. lVe

have not attempted to illustrate or describe certain modifications which might be desirable for use in other adaptations of our invention than that illustrated, as we believe the disclosure made will enable those skilled in the art to which our invention relates to embody or adapt the same to various conditions in practice as may be required.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to Secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. The combination nvith the manifold of an internal combustion engine having a group of inlet ports in its side and an external annular groove-like closure valve seat surrounding said ports, a closure valve for said ports provided with a stem threaded for adjustment into said manifold centrally of said ports, the outer end of said stem being slotted, said closure valve having an annular rib coacting with said seat when the valve is closed, a valve and lock housing member mounted on said manifold and provided with a chamber for said valve and with a lock chamber, there being a partition between said chambers having an opening therein alined with said valve stem, said housing having an air conduit extension curved over the top of the manifold, a lock comprising a key actuated rotatable member disposed in said lock chamber and retained therein by a screw through said partition, and a tang loosely mounted on said rotatable member and engaging the slot of said valve stem, all coacting for the purpose specified.

2. The combination avith the manifold of an internal combustion engine having a group of inlet ports and an external annular groove-like. closure valve seat surrounding said ports, a closure valve for said ports provided with a stem threaded for adjustment into said manifold centrally of said ports, the outer end of said stem being slotted, said closure valve having an annular rib coacting with said seat when the valve is closed, a nlve and lock housing member mounted on said manifold, a lock comprising a key actuated rotatable member, and a tang loosely mounted on said rotatable mem- ,aso

her and engaging the slot of said valve stem, all coacting for the purpose specified.

3. The combination with the manifold of an internal combustion engine having an in let port in its side, a closure valve for said port provided with a stem threaded for adjustment into said manifold, the outer end of said stem being slotted, a valve and lock housing member mounted on said manifold and provided with a chamber for said valve and with a lock chamber, there being a partition between said chambers having an opening therein alined (with said valve stem, said housing having an air conduit extension curved over the topof the manifold, a lock comprising a key actuated rotatable member disposed in said lock chamber and retained therein by a screw through said partition, and a tang mounted on said rotatable member and engaging the slot of said valve stem, all coacting for the purpose specified.

4. The combination with the manifold of an internal combustion engine having an inlet port, a closure valve for said port provided with a stem threaded for adjustment into said manifold, the outer end of said stem being slotted, a valve and lock housing member mounted on said manifold, a lock comprising a key actuated rotatable memher, and a tang mounted on said rotatable member and engaging the slot of said valve stem, all coacting for the purpose specified.

5. The combination with the manifold of an internal combustion engine having an air inlet port, a closure valve for said port provided with a stem threaded for adjustment into said manifold, the outer end of said stem being slotted, a housing member mounted on said manifold, and a key actuated rotatable member having a tang engaging the slot of said valve stem, all coacting for the purpos specified.

In witness whereof, [we have hereunto set our hands and seals in the presence of two wltnesses.

BENJANHN E. KOOLS. [Ls] HENRY- A. STEVENS. [L.S.]

\Vitnesses LUELLA G. GREENFIELD, GRACE B. THoMPsoN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washin ton, D, G. 

